"I'll prepare things with Grandma; Grandfather Chi, you just draw up the list. It's just a few of Wu Zi’s good classmates, and some of the subject teachers."

"The subject teachers are probably all very busy; the Grade 11 students are already hitting their stride for exams. Just calling the homeroom teacher should suffice, Grandpa, what do you think?"

Cheng Ying rubbed her nose. That would be better, avoiding any awkwardness.

The old Mr. Chi said, "Your grandmother is much better at this sort of thing than I am. We two will handle it; we’ll make the calls. We’ll leave the banquet arrangements to our in-laws."

Cheng Grandma said, "Deal. Just figure out how many tables you need, how many people are coming, and the date—the rest is mine."

"If that’s settled, you two can bring up any other requests now, because afterwards, we won’t agree to anything."

This statement was aimed pointedly at Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying wanted to ask if they wanted a betrothal gift, just to deliberately needle the old Mrs. Chi. Seeing Chi Wu next to her, she decided against it for the child’s sake. "Wu Zi and I will discuss whether or not to invite classmates for a meal; we can arrange that ourselves. I don’t have any other needs."

Chi Wu felt a wave of relief; there had been no further complication. "Invite the masters from next door too. They all came up through our family. This isn't just a thank-you banquet for the teachers; since we’re getting engaged in the city, it’s essentially these people, so we might as well include them all."

This was another emphatic statement. Old Mrs. Chi snorted. An engagement—just a meal between two families was enough. Which family throws a huge banquet for just an engagement?

Cheng Grandma said, "Wu Zi is always so thoughtful. In-law, are there any people from your side you need to invite?"

Old Mrs. Chi replied, "It’s just an engagement; we shouldn't disturb distant relatives and friends. It’s enough that the two families know."

"Oh, I see. That’s perfect then. After the teacher appreciation banquet, we’ll hold one back in the village. Customs are different in the city versus the village. An engagement is more important than a wedding; this is a true joining of our two families, so it absolutely must be lively. In-laws, if you have time, please come over then and see the customs of our village."

You don’t value it, but I do! It won’t hurt me, and in the future, we’ll have one more person in our family. Cheng Grandma was delighted to host a banquet at their own place and please her relatives and friends.

Chi Yong looked at his own mother. You may be more learned than Ying Zi's grandmother, but when it comes to life wisdom, you fall far short, he thought. "Then of course I have to go. I am Chi Wu’s father, and Cheng Ying’s stepfather; I can't miss that. It’s been years since I had a village banquet. Mom, we’re not afraid of spending money; let’s make the spread excellent. This family has only given out gift money these past years, never receiving any back. Oh, when Zhi Zi and I got married, it didn't feel as much like we were the main characters as this will!"

Chi Yong’s dramatic performance was perfectly timed. He was running cover for his own mother, genuinely afraid that the girl Cheng Ying might throw out another curveball.

Old Mr. Chi followed his son's lead to smooth things over for his wife. "We really don’t have many relatives in the city. Otherwise, back in those days, we wouldn’t have been completely without support. If they aren't truly close relatives, it’s really not right to make a big fuss over the engagement. Fortunately, we have our in-laws to liven things up. My wife and I are definitely going. As for the alcohol, I can't compete with Old In-law, but I’ll cover the cigarettes. Nobody tries to take that from me."

Finally, it sounded a bit more like they were discussing a joyous occasion.

Chi Wu's tightly held heart finally relaxed, especially when he saw Cheng Ying’s gentle expression; it made him even more comfortable. Hurry up and finalize this marriage, or I’m going to go mad. Living with something weighing on his mind was too difficult. He wouldn't have to wait for Ying Zi to discipline him; he would destroy himself first. He so longed for the days when he and Cheng Ying faced problems together.

When Old Mr. Chi returned home, he spoke earnestly to his wife. "From now on, we are one family. You need to be more tolerant. Ying Zi is a good child. You must see her good qualities. Think about it from a different angle: what family’s girl can prop up a whole household at such a young age like Ying Zi? We are getting old, and our son has Xiao Ye. A granddaughter-in-law like that is impossible to find even with a lantern."

Old Mrs. Chi replied, "What’s wrong with our Wu Zi? What kind of wife couldn't he choose? How did he get entangled with the Cheng family like this? If I don't believe they intentionally stirred things up, I won't believe it either. What’s so good about that girl? Her tongue is so sharp. Right now, Wu Zi isn't getting the upper hand, but there’s the future, there’s the future!"

Old Mr. Chi looked at his wife. "The two children are good; that’s more important than anything else. My whole life with you, I haven't gotten the upper hand either, but haven't we lived quite well? Haven't we?"

The key is, haven't you noticed? Your grandson enjoys being managed by her. He's the type who asks to be smacked around.

Old Mrs. Chi said, "That's not the same! How can it be the same?"

Old Mr. Chi sighed. "It’s no different. Ying Zi like this is very good. Wu Zi is not like Xiao Ye; after all, Wu Zi doesn't have parents. How many years can we live? How many years can we look after the child? If Ying Zi is capable, she can support the family. Only then will the two children be strong in the future. This is very good, don't you think?"

Old Mrs. Chi argued, "Wouldn't finding a maternal family with solid roots help Wu Zi more? Just like you said, we can only look after the child for a few years. How can we feel at ease otherwise?"

Old Mr. Chi patted his wife’s shoulder. "Aren't you afraid the child will be bullied? Whatever you say sounds reasonable to you. Forget it; the child has to be willing too. I haven't seen that child as happy as he is now in years. He sought this himself. From now on, we must treat her politely."

Old Mrs. Chi remained silent, thinking. She was clearly displeased.

Chi Yong was driving ahead. "Mom, we really do need to be polite to them. Things are different now than before. Back then, when Zhi Zi came to our house, whatever your attitude was, it was fine. Ying Zi's grandmother was polite to you out of fear that Cheng Ying's mother would be put in a difficult position. Now our Wu Zi is going to their house. If your attitude isn't good, what if they treat our Wu Zi poorly?"

Old Mrs. Chi snapped, "He dares?"

Chi Yong pressed on, "Mom, you don't know. Ying Zi's grandmother—if you ask around in the village, who dares to provoke her? You think Ying Zi's eloquence is fierce? It’s not even one-fifth of my old lady’s. Back then, the old lady could call from one end of the village to the other, an entire noon, and never repeat a single phrase. You see how benevolent the old lady seems now? That’s because Yang Zhi was living in our house. The old lady already said that if she treated you politely, our Zhi Zi would have a more comfortable life here; we couldn't cause trouble for the child. Now Wu Zi is going to their place; you need to think carefully. It’s the same logic."

Old Mrs. Chi’s face turned deathly pale. Everyone understood the logic, but since she had never had a daughter, she had never considered it. She kept her face tight. "Or perhaps we should reconsider. Wasn't this decision too hasty? The child will suffer no matter what when he goes to their home. Why must a family like ours invite trouble by sending the child off to live someone else’s life?"

Old Mr. Chi watched his son exaggerate the danger, and he wanted to kick him, but he knew his wife needed a wake-up call. With all these relatives involved, they couldn't always be seen as the ones bowing their heads.

Old Mr. Chi stated, "How can we change it? The child is willing. If we don't agree, he’ll just come back."

The key is, our child is already no longer entirely ours. What do you have to contend with them?

Old Mrs. Chi was frustrated enough to bite iron. "Why has this child's heart turned crooked? Why is he set on this path? He must be bewitched! Good, let’s see how I deal with him then."

Old Mr. Chi glared angrily at his son. He had frightened his mother into tears. That’s not what a good son does. Chi Yong didn't realize the potential severity of his words. "Mom, think positively. From now on, Wu Zi will be the pillar of their family; they’ll rely on Wu Zi to have children for them. The old lady will surely treat Wu Zi well. Besides, who wouldn't adore our Wu Zi? They wouldn't bear to treat him badly, would they?"

Old Mrs. Chi shrieked, "You shut up! You're the one having children! If you hadn't created such a troublesome connection back then, would we have this situation now? You give me back my grandson!"

The old lady was being unreasonable now.

Chi Yong thought, Why is my mouth so foul? Aren’t I just setting myself on fire?

Chi Ye, who had quietly returned to see his grandparents off, spoke up. "Grandma, she treats Brother Wu Zi very well—much better than she treats me. She saves all the good things for Brother Wu Zi; neither my sister nor I are allowed to touch them."

Old Mrs. Chi stopped crying. "Really? Then Xiao Ye, don't go to their house anymore in the future. How could they do that? What doesn't our family have? We don't lack the little things they hide away."

Old Mrs. Chi immediately shifted to discontent. If you think about it, her grandson whom she watched grow up was always more precious to her than the grandson who didn't stay home and whose arm was always extended toward outsiders.

Women’s moods are indeed fickle. Old Mrs. Chi, just recovering, turned around and said, "So I'm just trading for a great-grandson? Giving them one is a disaster! They should look at their own circumstances. Yong Zi, I’m not blaming you, but you need to pay more attention in the future, look at Cheng Ying’s child more closely. People like us don't value that small amount of money you keep looking at. Tell me, such a fine forest, just cut it down? How regrettable."

Chi Yong looked at his mother, feeling speechless. Cheng Ying never looked at that place for the scenery; what she saw was money. This old lady lives a happy life; she can afford to say such things. Others wouldn’t have this mindset.

Chi Yong gave his own father a deep look. This man also doted on his wife; otherwise, he wouldn't protect his own mother so thoroughly. For someone who lived through those times to maintain this mindset, this integrity, was truly rare. Chi Yong himself—if he had such integrity—wouldn't have survived with Wu Zi. He had even stolen fish from the river. But that was ancient history, something Chi Yong had never told his own wife.

Chi Yong felt that perhaps his old lady and his daughter-in-law would never be on the same wavelength in this lifetime. Things would get lively later on.

Old Mr. Chi said, "Your mother is right. As Cheng Ying gets closer to our family, we can slowly guide her. The child is young, and her malleability is still very strong."

This was just to coax the old lady; everyone understood that the engagement was set. It wasn't Cheng Ying getting closer to their family; it was Wu Zi drifting further away from them. But one couldn't tie down the grandson anyway. Let’s look on the bright side; at least Xiao Ye is still young. "Yong Zi, why don't you send Xiao Ye over? You and your wife are working and don't have time to look after the child. Your mother and I are quite idle and can help you out."